Many digestive problems are preventable

What people put on their plate each day has a great deal to do with healthy digestion. With a busy summer ahead for most people, now is a good time to review the basics of how proper nutrition and healthy life-style changes can help keep the human digestive system on track. Here are some tips from the famous Mayo Clinic.

Eat plenty of fiber. Foods that pass more easily and quickly through your digestive system are the same foods that form the foundation for a healthy diet. Plant foods - fruits, vegetables and foods made from whole grains - contain beneficial vitamins, minerals and compounds that may protect against cancer. Plant foods are also an excellent source of fiber, a nutrient that's especially important to digestion.

Cut the fat. Excess fat slows digestion and can lead to heartburn, bloating and constipation, in addition to increasing your risk of heart disease, diabetes and perhaps even colon cancer.

Drink ample fluids. Water is the best beverage. Caffeinated beverages and alcohol don't count. Most people should drink 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water each day.

Practice good eating habits. Eat moderate proportions, eat at regular times and relax while you eat.

Maintain a healthy weight. Heartburn, bloating and constipation tend to be more common in people who are overweight.

Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Too much alcohol (more than one or two drinks in a day) or chewing or smoking tobacco can lead to serious digestive disorders. When combined with tobacco, alcohol greatly increases your risk of mouth and esophageal cancer.

Use medications with caution. Anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen (Aleve) and ketoprofen (Orudis) are potentially the most damaging. Taking them with food may help. Ask your doctor for advice.

Digestive problems are among the most common reasons people see their doctors. They're also a leading reason people take medication.

The book Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health offers practical advice to help people identify, manage and prevent digestive disorders so they can enjoy life with less stomach and intestinal upset.

Not all digestive problems can be prevented or controlled. Some digestive disorders are hereditary, or they require more advanced care. But good nutrition and healthy life-style habits can go a long way toward keeping the human digestive system healthy.